HEADLINES
Ceasefire talks stall as Lebanon-Israel friction persists
Two IDF soldiers wounded in Hezbollah strike
Liberman vows decisive outcome rejects Netanyahu coalition

The time is now 12:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said it is premature to talk of any high-level meeting between Lebanon and Israel. Salam told Lebanon’s National News Agency that any new round of negotiations would rest on shoring up the ceasefire in Washington. Hostilities between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have continued in southern Lebanon despite a US-mediated ceasefire announced on April 16. Since Hezbollah opened fire in support of Iran on March 2, Beirut’s administration and President Ibrahim Aoun have pursued high-level contacts with Israel in decades, reflecting deep divisions with Hezbollah. Washington last month hosted two meetings between Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors in the United States. Hezbollah strongly objects to the contacts. Trump announced a three-week extension of the ceasefire on April 23.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Two IDF soldiers were wounded on Wednesday when Hezbollah launched explosive drones and rockets toward troops operating in southern Lebanon. The drones detonated near the soldiers, leaving one lightly wounded and the other severely wounded; they were evacuated for medical treatment and their families were notified. In a separate development, the IDF said it intercepted a hostile aircraft before it could cross into Israeli territory. Also on Wednesday, the IDF Arabic Spokesperson ordered the evacuation of several towns and villages in southern Lebanon via an X/Twitter post. IDF Chief of General Staff Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir visited the El-Khiam area, receiving operational briefings, speaking with division and brigade commanders, and touring underground Hezbollah infrastructure located beneath a children’s store; Zamir stressed the mission to remove every threat.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Liberman calls for ‘decisive outcome,’ vows not to sit in government with Netanyahu. Launching his campaign in Tel Aviv, Yisrael Beitenu leader MK Avigdor Liberman vowed not to sit in a government with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying it would be impossible to keep fighting from one round to the next. He urged a decisive outcome on all fronts and said defeating Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas must be the top priority. Liberman said his two goals are to replace the October 7 government and to become prime minister, noting he was maintaining contact with other opposition parties and would pursue any move that adds value. Prosecutors indict Bat Yam daycare workers over alleged assault of 14 toddlers. The State Attorney’s Office filed two indictments against four daycare workers in Tel Aviv and Bat Yam for allegedly assaulting toddlers in January 2023. The owner, Simona Yaffa Bar-Zohar, and two assistants, Meital Namer and Nurit Ratzon, are charged in Tel Aviv District Court with assault of a minor by a responsible adult causing actual injury and aggravated assault; Namer is also charged with abuse of one toddler. The defendants allegedly grabbed children forcefully, dragged them by one arm, lifted them and threw them onto mattresses, chairs, changing tables, or cribs, slapped and pinched them, and punished toddlers by seating them in highchairs or corners. In some cases, the charges reference multiple children and injuries. Rubio says Roaring Lion is over, Haredim boycott Rami Levy over flights. The Jerusalem Post’s must-listen news roundup for the day cited headlines including the claim that “Roaring Lion is over” and noted a boycott by Haredim of Rami Levy over flight-related issues.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Canadian Jewish groups urge terror designation for Palestine Action, warn about radical ideology. B’nai Brith Canada urged the federal government to designate Palestine Action as a terrorist organization, warning the group is inciting followers to commit criminal acts in furtherance of its radical ideology. The organization cited a published target map of companies tied to the Israeli defense industry, including 11 sites in Canada, and an Underground Manual that allegedly teaches activists how to create small cells. Miss Israel says NYC first lady ended cafe conversation after learning she was Israeli. World Israel News reported that Miss Israel 2025 Melanie Shiraz said a Brooklyn cafe encounter with New York City First Lady Rama Duwaji became tense after she introduced herself as Israeli; Duwaji reportedly said “sorry” and did not want to take a photo, and Shiraz said online remarks by Duwaji about Israel and Israelis were raised.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

SOURCES
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/05/lebanese-pm-says-premature-talk-any-high-level-meeting-israel
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-895320
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-895340
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-895332
https://www.jpost.com/podcast/jpost-headlines/article-895321
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-895331
https://worldisraelnews.com/miss-israel-says-nyc-first-lady-ended-cafe-conversation-after-learning-she-was-israeli/